zaha hadid architects (ZHA) has finalized its plans for a major leisure and entertainment development in sharjah, a united arab emirates city on the arabian gulf. the first phase of the project?s ?central hub?, which was announced earlier this year, will complete in the first quarter of 2019. according to the architects, the design of the scheme conceptualizes a water droplet striking the earth?s surface ? a moment captured in an array of elliptical buildings that are configured to channel cooling winds.

the scheme includes 732,000 square feet of public squares and gardens
image by cosmoscube | main image by VA
 
 
ZHA?s design serves as the focal point of ?aljada?, a $6.5 billion USD development backed by arada, a UAE-based developer. articulated around its large central plaza and public observation tower, the car-free ?central hub? will be more than 25 football fields in size (1.9 million square feet). the scheme includes 732,000 square feet of public squares and gardens, which have been designed to be occupied throughout the year ? even in summer.
the destination has been designed to be occupied throughout the year
image by VA
 
 
the complex?s natural ecosystem, irrigated by recovered and recycled water, is designed to sustain a microclimate at ground level for gardens featuring plant species native to the region, while the central hub?s lighting requirements will be entirely met by smart solar power. work on the project?s first phase ? which will include an ou...